Laurel Upper School (O'Connor Site)

In anticipation of the fall 2016 opening of the newly remodeled Laurel Upper School at 275 Elliott Drive, the City will be improving pedestrian and bicycle facilities for the future students and their families traveling on Menalto Avenue, O’Connor Street and other surrounding streets.

Current project status

Consistent with the City’s Bicycle Plan and the Menlo Park City School District’s effort to promote safe alternative modes of transportation, the City will implement the following improvements near the school site this year:

Sidewalk improvements

Menalto Avenue: eastern side between O’Connor Street and Elm Street

O’Connor Street: northern side between Menalto Avenue and Elliott Drrive

Curb ramp improvements

Menalto Avenue / O’Connor Street

Willow Road / Gilbert Avenue

Bike route sharrow pavement marking and signage improvements

Durham Street between Willow Road and Menalto Avenue

Donohoe Street between Menalto Avenue and W. Bayshore Road

Gilbert Avenue between Willow Road and Menalto Avenue

Menalto Avenue between Durham Street and Woodland Avenue

O’Connor Street between Menalto Avenue and Manhattan Avenue

Woodland Avenue between Menalto Avenue and University Avenue

Euclid Avenue between O’Connor Street and Woodland Avenue

W. Bayshore Road between Donohoe Street and Manhattan Avenue

Manhattan Avenue between W. Bayshore Road and Woodland Avenue

Next steps

Develop a detailed construction schedule with construction expected to commence in summer/fall 2016.

History

In 2014, the Menlo Park City School District decided to make changes to the existing Laurel School located at 95 Edge Road due to continuous student enrollment growth. The school currently serves students in grades K-4.

Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, the District will convert the existing Laurel School to a Lower Campus and serve students in grades K-2. Furthermore, the District will occupy the existing empty O'Connor site on Elliott Drive as the new Laurel Upper School campus and serve students in grades 3-5.

Project activities

In association with the opening of the Laurel Upper School campus, the City of Menlo Park and the City of East Palo Alto applied and received grant funds to provide additional sidewalk, crosswalk, bicycle marking and signage enhancements.

On October 30, 2014, the City hosted a neighborhood meeting to discuss access to the Laurel Upper School. This meeting included a presentation of current issues identified in collaboration with the Menlo Park City School District during the planning process, as well as potential solutions to improve circulation and safety in the school area, and to encourage bicycling and walking to and from school for children that will attend the Laurel Upper School.